There are moments when impact moves beyond metrics and becomes something more human, felt in connection. It is within this space that Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has once again recognized Sigma VIG with the prestigious Günter Geyer Award for Social Contribution. Named after the President of the Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein Supervisory Board, the Günter Geyer Award for Social Conscience, is awarded by VIG’s main shareholder to Group companies which have shown outstanding social engagement.
This marks the second time Sigma VIG has received this award, an acknowledgment not of a single initiative, but of a sustained commitment to redefining what insurance can mean in people’s lives.
The award was formally presented by members of the VIG Board to the Board of Sigma VIG, in a ceremony that brought together media, partners, and representatives of the very community at the heart of this story.
Where Research Meets Humanity
The journey began not in a meeting room, but in a question: how can we meaningfully improve the quality of life for elderly individuals who often live on the margins of attention?
In collaboration with Robert Çitozi and Klajdi Xhebexhiu from the Sports University of Tirana, Sigma VIG supported a pioneering initiative, to implement the internationally recognized Otago Exercise Program within a public elderly care institution.
What followed was a 12-week transformation. Twenty-four elderly residents, became part of a carefully designed rhythm of movement and connection. Across 36 sessions, days were reshaped through gentle exercises, walks in nature, and moments of music and dance. What may appear simple on the surface was a structured intervention targeting one of the most critical risks in elderly health: loss of balance and the resulting injuries that too often define later life.
By the end of the program in May 2024, the results spoke with clarity. Physical balance improved significantly, strength and endurance increased, and with them, a renewed sense of confidence. But the true impact extended beyond physiology.
There was more laughter. More conversation. A visible shift in mood, in optimism, in the way participants engaged not only with the program, but with each other. Movement became a language of reconnection, with themselves and with the world around them.
Shaping Safer Futures: Empowering the Next Generation Through Road Safety Education
In partnership with Albanian Red Cross, our teams actively contributed to a targeted road safety awareness campaign implemented during October–November 2024, reinforcing our strategic commitment to community impact and prevention. Focused on children aged 7–13, the initiative was rolled out across multiple schools, combining education with interactive engagement to embed responsible behaviors from an early age. Through a dynamic blend of learning and play, students were introduced to essential road safety principles, supported by informative materials and hands-on demonstrations led by Red Cross volunteers and road safety specialists. The program also incorporated practical first aid training in accident scenarios, equipping young participants with critical, life-saving knowledge. The strong engagement and enthusiasm demonstrated by both students and our employees underscored the tangible value of collaborative action in shaping safer communities for the future.
Beyond Support: Showing Up
Sigma VIG’s role was not limited to enabling the project, it was embedded within it. Perhaps most meaningfully, Sigma VIG employees became part of the journey.
What emerged was a bridge, between generations, between intention and action, between care and presence.
From the Group perspective, the award reinforces a broader strategic vision.
“With the ‘Günter Geyer Award for Social Conscience’, established in 2012, we place a deliberate spotlight on the social commitment of our group companies. The award honours those whose initiatives make a meaningful contribution to a modern and liveable society. I warmly congratulate Sigma on this achievement and thank everyone involved for their dedicated, cross-generational commitment to civil society in Albania,” says Mr. Robert Lasshofer, Chairman of the Management Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, the main shareholder of Vienna Insurance Group (VIG).
Recognition that Reflects Continuity
Receiving the Günter Geyer Award for the second time places Sigma VIG in a distinct position within Vienna Insurance Group: as a company that does not approach social responsibility as an initiative, but as a discipline.
This recognition is not a milestone, it is a responsibility,” said Mr. Klaidi Çitozi, CEO of Sigma VIG. “It motivates us to keep creating impact that is not only measurable, but truly meaningful. These initiatives reflect our belief that prevention, education, and community engagement are essential pillars of sustainable value creation. Because at its core, insurance is about people, protecting lives, shaping safer environments, and contributing to the long-term wellbeing of the communities we serve.
Further emphasizing the Group’s perspective, Mr. Christoph Rath, Member of the Managing Board, Vienna Insurance Group, added: “I would like to warmly congratulate the Sigma team on this well-deserved award. With initiatives such as the Otago project, helping to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls among older people, as well as road safety programmes implemented together with the Albanian Red Cross, Sigma demonstrates the tangible impact of its local commitment – driven by the strong personal engagement of its employees. It is a great example of how we, as Vienna Insurance Group, take responsibility beyond our core business in the countries in which we operate.”
As Sigma VIG looks ahead, the ambition is clear: to expand initiatives that integrate research, community engagement, and human connection into scalable models of impact.
About us
Sigma VIG is a leading non-life insurance company in Albania, established in 1999 and licensed by the Financial Supervisory Authority. It offers a wide range of products, including motor, property, health, and other non-life insurance solutions for individuals, businesses, and corporates. Since expanding into Kosovo in 2004, Sigma has strengthened its regional presence. Since 2007, it has been part of Vienna Insurance Group, the largest insurance group in Austria and a leading player in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing international expertise and high service standards.
Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) is the leading insurance group in the entire Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. More than 50 insurance companies and pension funds in 30 countries form a Group with a long-standing tradition, strong brands and close customer relations. Around 30,000 employees in VIG take care of the day-today needs of around 33 million customers. VIG shares have been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1994, on the Prague Stock Exchange since 2008 and on the Budapest Stock Exchange since 2022. VIG Group has an A+ rating with a positive outlook from the internationally recognised rating agency Standard & Poor’s. VIG cooperates closely with Erste Group, the largest retail bank in Central and Eastern Europe.
